Millie’s Medical

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Fri Aug 02, 2024 9:16 pm


I'm glad to hear that Millie is doing better. Bio Sponge never really did anything for our guys when I have used it, but I still keep it on hand "just in case."

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:36 pm


Millie is having digestive issues again. Not enough hay input so very little output. Her tummy feels heavy but not firm like bloat. I’ve been giving metoclopramide since yesterday morning when I first noticed she was off her food and not many poos. She eats a little hay but mostly just sits around, so we’ve done some tummy massages. I chased her around during floor time which aggravated her and produced some results.

She’s eating corn husks, she wants fresh veggies but I’m not sure she should have them in case she gets bloat. I gave her BeneBac and thin Critical Care for hydration.

I wish I knew what causes this. She’s had issues a few times now.

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:24 pm


Oh shoot, I'm sorry to hear it. I'm dealing with something similar with Albert at the moment. Withheld veggies for 3 days (tough love) which he did not appreciate, but it does seem to have gotten his bloating back down and his poops are a little better-looking. They are still a little mushy but there are more of them with some being fairly normal-looking. Tonight, he just got a few bits of carrot, a little yellow bell pepper, some bits of zucchini, but not much lettuce. Fingers crossed that I don't wake to find him ballooned up again. This makes the 2nd or 3rd time in about a month that this has happened.

For Albert, I have added a probiotic and Critical Care, too, as well as Metoclopramide and Metacam. I have also been doing tummy massage and applying warmth from one of those bean-bag thingies that go in the microwave.

Like you, I wish I knew what triggered these bouts. He's going to the vet this Thursday, but I doubt she'll be able to suggest anything other than what we're already doing. It's mainly so I can get his meds refilled.

Sending healing thoughts to little Millie. I know how uncomfortable these GI issues are.

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:21 am


Millie is still picking at her hay and fussy, obviously uncomfortable. During floor time she moves around more, eats a little hay and we some poos that look good. I was running low on Metoclopramide and the vet clinic was kind enough to give me a refill. I still had some Metacam so I gave her that tonight as well.

She took the water I syringed and she was happy to eat CC with BeneBac and vitamin C. She’s interested in fun foods like corn husks, carrots, and the Simple Rewards apple treats. I’m just leery about giving her too much of any veggies, though.

Hoping things improve.

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:45 am


Something that has helped jump start Albert's interest in hay during these episodes has been a little alfalfa hay mixed in with the timothy.

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Thu Jan 16, 2025 9:20 pm


How is Albert doing?

The alfalfa is a good idea! I never thought of that. I’ll have to remember to get some alfalfa hay. I’ve been giving her corn husks rinsed with water to try and keep her hydrated.

This morning she was still just nibbling on hay, and pulling at her bedding and facing the corner. I called the clinic and they’re booked solid over the weekend when the piggy vet is there. So they offered to take her as a drop off Saturday morning. I’ll have to write up a synopsis of what’s going on and what I’ve been doing.

Tonight she’s getting floor time and I just gave her some BeneBac. She’s been munching on hay and chewing on one of those woven timothy mats. There are a few poops but I’ve noticed she’s eating them so she still has something out of balance. I just keep giving massages and corn husks and stern warnings about vet visits if she doesn’t come around.

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Thu Jan 16, 2025 9:42 pm


He's doing fairly well. We'll heading to the vet on Monday for a follow-up and to get his meds refilled. Normally the boys get veggies in the a.m. and p.m. both, but I'm having to limit Albert to a.m. veggies only and substitute with CC for his evening meal (followed by pellets).

Good luck on Saturday. I hope they can figure out what's going on!

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Lynx
Resist!!!

Post   » Thu Jan 16, 2025 9:59 pm


You are both such observant and knowledgeable guinea pig caretakers!

I hope you can figure out what's going on with Millie and that Albert continues to do well.

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:08 pm


Glad to hear Albert is doing better. I hope he continues to do well. I’ve been limiting veggies for both my pigs. Ruby Sue had mushy poos and Millie feels kind of puffy.

I brought Millie to the clinic this morning with a summary of what’s been going on. They were busy and I hope they can see her sooner rather than later.

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Sat Jan 18, 2025 4:47 pm


Any news on Millie?

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ItsaZoo
Supporter in 2024

Post   » Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:31 am


The vet said she thinks there’s a partial blockage starting. She’s tender on one side, which I noticed too. So she’s getting Meloxicam, Metoclopramide, and she prescribed Albon. I’m also giving BeneBac a few hours after the Albon.

I need to get more CC into her to move her digestion. I asked about corn husks since I have a lot in the freezer and she said that was okay. No gassy veggies like peppers, cukes, and she’s not a fan of lettuce either. Millie is getting a few slices of baby carrot, I don’t think of that as a bloat veggie.

She’s still picking at hay, devouring corn husks, and she’s chewing on a timothy mat that I put in her cage. She’s not usually a chewer but it’s an Oxbow mat so it should be safe.

One thing the vet said that I didn’t know is that vitamin C drops shouldn’t be mixed with city water at all. I was syringing vitamin c drops mixed with water and BeneBac when Millie wasn’t eating her wafer. The vet said chlorine in city water has a chemical reaction with vitamin c and cancel each other out. So she told me to buy non-chlorinated bottled water if I needed to syringe vitamin C.

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Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:21 pm


That's interesting. What is the Albon supposed to do? I have a feeling the exact same thing is going on with Albert (he is tender on one side as well). We had to postpone the vet visit due to the ridiculously cold temperatures here.

Wonder if her chewing on the hay mat could be a sign of discomfort?

I had not heard that about Vitamin C and city water. I usually just feed the Oxbow wafers when I need to supplement, but this product by Oasis has come in very handy at times too.

I hope you see some improvement soon. This GI stuff can be so challenging to navigate.

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